i?

_Ben._ Extremely.

_Mich._ Is he aware, that tomorrow Venoni will pronounce his vows?

_Ben._ Bless my heart! so soon!

_Mich._ The victim of despair, looking on the world with horror and
disgust, considering as the only good left for him on earth, the
permission to inhabit an asylum contiguous to that which contains the
ashes of his beloved. (_mysteriously_) For you are aware, that our
monastery is only separated from the Ursuline convent by a party-wall.

_Ben._ Indeed? the Ursuline convent? it was there, that Josepha breathed
her last-- if I remember rightly, it is under father Coelestino's
direction?

_Mich._ (_expressively_) Under his direction? you are right! yes! it is
under his direction; and who says that, says every thing.

_Ben._ Well, father; and so Venoni-- ?

_Mich._ (_with energy_) Assists the superior's views, and languishes
till the hour arrives when he must sacrifice his liberty for ever: when,
renouncing the world and himself, he will become subject to the insolent
caprice, to the arbitrary commands, to the tyrannical hatred of a man
frequently unjust, never to be appeased; and who is himself the prey of
all those worldly passions, which he secretly and dearly cherishes in
his own heart, but whose slightest indulgence he punishes without mercy
upon others.

_Ben._ Well, father, this at least I must say for you, you seem to be
perfectly well acquainted with the moral characters of your fellows.
Dear, dear! and so then it is tomorrow, that this poor gentleman, so
amiable-- with talents so brilliant, with a heart so generous and so
good--

_Mich._ His talents? his heart? those perhaps are still unknown to our
superior:-- but Venoni is immoderately wealthy, and of that the prior
was perfectly well informed. But the viceroy returns not, and I dare not
tarry longer!-- good old man, give your lord this letter; say that my
seeing him before tomorrow is of the utmost importance to Venoni-- to
himself!

_Ben._ You will return then?

_Mich._ Alas! that will be impossible! entreat, that for heaven's love,
the viceroy would deign to visit me at my convent. He must inquire for
father Michael.

_Benedetto._ For father Michael? I'll not forget; and he shall have this
letter immediately.

_Mich._ I thank you-- as to the manner in which I have spoken of my
superior, the most profound secrecy----

_Ben._ Oh! mum's the word.

_Mich._ Should it reach his knowledge-- blessed saints, protect me!
J